Lock



Jun 2 5, 1946.

P, s. GAY

Lock

Filed March 19, 1945 FIG. 4.

FIGI.

25 z 1 a a J 12 w A J w a e 5 M I i .r I16 h .42 v ai ATTORNEY PatentedJune 25, 1946 LOCK Paul Stead Gay, Charlotte, Mich., assignor toWilcox-Gay Corporation, Charlotte, Mich., a corporation of MichiganApplication March 19, 1943, Serial No. 479,725

3 Claims. 1

My invention relates to a door securing or fastening means and moreparticularly to a door lock for a cabinet, container or other similarstructure, wherein the lock is so arranged that no external projectionof any kind appears, especially when the door is closed.

In the construction of cabinet or container members for which it isnecessary to provide openings, it is sometimes of real importance thatthe securing members for the doors which cover the openings be soarranged that they cannot accidentally be operated to release the door.Furthermore in certain types of cabinet or container members where thecabinet is constructed to certain specific dimensions which cannot inany way be increased, any door fastening or securing means must again beso arranged that the outer dimensions of the entire structure is notthereby increased.

Where the Walls forming the cabinet or container' are relatively thick,then no substantial problem is presented since the knobs, handles orlooks may be placed within countersunk recesses therein withoutsubstantially weakening the structure. Where, however, the cabinet wallsand doors themselves are of a minimum thickness, this type ofcountersinking either becomes impossible or will substantially weakenthe completed structure. This problem becomes most important in thattype of portable radio transmitting and receiving device which has nowcome to be known as the walkie-talkie.

In this type of structure, where it is necessary to maintain the weightand size of all parts at a minimum, the enclosing structure for theoperating portions therefor are made as thin as possible consistent withnecessary structural strength. The fastening for the door of theenclosing structure therefore cannot readily be placed in anycountersunk recess since this might weaken or distort the closingstructure.

Likewise, in order to prevent accidental opening of the door duringoperations of the unit in the field or to obviate the possibility thatprojecting parts may be caught on various obstructions such as barbedwire and the like, it is essential that the door fastening be as far aspossible flush with the surface of the container.

The primary object of my invention, therefore, is the provision of adoor closure and lock for a container wherein all of the elements aresubstantially flush with the outer surface of the structure.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a doorfastening or look for the door of a container wherein although themembers constituting the same may be mounted on the outside of thecontainer and may be readily accessible therefrom, they may neverthelessbe substantially flush with the surface of the container, especiallywhen the door is in locked position.

In order to accomplish this purpose and as an additional object of myinvention, I have provided a door fastening device which depends on anelement formed of spring metal having a convex area therein, theconvexity of which may be snapped to either side and wherein one end ofthe metallic element is rigidly secured whereas the opposite endprovides the door locking or engaging element.

These and many other objects of my invention will become apparent in thefollowing description and drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side View in elevation of a container showingmy novel door fastening means.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 2, showing theunlocked position of the fastening element.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side View in elevation of a container showinga slightly modified form of my door fastening means.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4 lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to that of Figure 5 butshowing the locking element in unfastened position.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a slight modification of theconstruction of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a slight modification of theconstruction of Figure 6 and showing the open position of theconstruction of Figure 7.

Referring now to Figure 3, I have here shown the side wall ll] of acabinet or container structure on which is hingedly mounted the door H.

As may be seen in this type of construction, the door II is so arrangedthat the free end thereof in the closed position does not rest againstany jamb or other ledge on the side wall In of the container, but ratherin the closed position shown in Figure 2, abuts against the edge l2 ofthe side wall ID.

A portion of the inner surface of the edge l5 of the door H is notchedout at l6 as seen in Figures 2 and 3, and especially in Figure 1, for adistance corresponding in length to the width of the locking member I8.A reinforcing metallic strip I1 is mounted over the notch I5, the saidreinforcing metallic strip constituting the lock engaging element in themanner hereinafter described.

The me'tallicmember '1 is mounted in :a recess I9 in the inner surface2I of the door II, the said recess being of sufiicient depth so that theplate Il may be flush with the inner surface 2 I.

As may readily be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the plate I'I extends overthe notch I6 and completely covers the inner surface thereof, leavingonly a longitudinal slot 22 at the edge I5. The locking member I8 isdesigned to engage this longitudinal slot 22 when the door is closed.

The said locking member as has above been pointed out, is a flatmetallic element which is secured in any suitable manner, as forinstance, by the nuts 25 and bolt 26 to the side wall I0.

The endof the locking member I8 opposite the securing members 25 has aretaining element "28 which is adapted, as may readily be seen from aninspection of Figures '2 and 3, to engage the notch 22 in the free end Iof the door II. The retaining element 28 as may readily be seen fromFigure 3, is integral with the locking member I8 and is a flange thereonwhich has been bent normally thereto.

-As is seen in Figure 3, the locking member I8 is provided with adepression '30 which is part of a sphere, the convexity 3! of thisdepression in the open position of the door (Figure 3) extendingdownwardly.

When the end 28 of the locking member I8 is depressed, then a well knownsnap action will occur. As the upper surface of the locking member I8 isstretched by the depression of the end 28 of the locking member, theconvexity 3I will, during this motion, suddenly snap throughce-nter andappear a a convexity 3Ia on the upper side of "the locking member I8,asseen in Figure 2.

The member I8 will thus be biased so that theend 26 thereof is urgeddownwardly with respect to Figure 2 and therefore the retaining element28 will enter into the notch 22in the edge of the door and thus securelylock the door in place. When'it is now desired to open the door, fingerpressure on the convexity 3Ia (Figure 2) of the locking member IE willpush this convexity through center, "so that'it will reform as theconvexity 3! (Figure 3) and the retaining member '28 on the free end ofthe locking member 18 will be raised out of engagement with the notch 22of the door.

The door may now readily be swung open or maybe so arranged as byispringhinges to immediately swing open. Again, when the door is to be closed,the reverse procedure is followed, the door is moved to closed position,the end 28 of the locking 'member is depressed, and the door is latchedin closing relation.

By this simple means, it will be seen that an effective lock or latch'for the dooris provided which is substantially flushw'ith the exteriorof the cabinet :and which is the same time'maintained 'on the exteriorof the cabinet and readily accessible therefrom. But there are noprojecting portions on the'lock itself, which 'ma-y catch onobstructions of any kind ormay cause the accidental opening of the'door.

If desired, a very thin swinging guard plate may be placed over theoutside of the locking member I8 to prevent any unforeseen bump fromopening the lock. Preferably, however, the spring metal of the lockingmember I8 is such that a mere accidental striking of the convexity 3Iashould not result in its opening. Locking plate I8 may be sufiicientlythick as to require a steady finger pressure in order to depress theconvexity 3Ia to reform as the convexity 3|.

'InF-l i'gures 4, 5 and 6, I have shown my invention in 'a slightlymodified 'form whereinthe operations for opening the lock are exactlythe same but wherein the lock closes automatically when the door isclosed so that the additional operation of depressing the locking memberneed not be performed.

In this construction, the locking member I I8 is secured to the side II0 of the cabinet in the same manner as by the bolts I25 and nuts I26.The locking member I I8 also has the retaining flange I28 which engagesin the notch I22 in the edge II5 of the door III. The notch I22 isformed in the same manner as previously described in connection with theother' figures by 'firs't forming the cut out H6 at the inner surface ofthe edge of the d-oor and then forming an additional recess H 9 withinwhich the metallic plate -'I I1 is mounted so that it is flush with theinner surface 'of the door and extends over the cut out I'I S rtocombine therewith to form the notch I22.

The locking member may, in thisembodimerit, function in the same manneras previously described. I have, however, added in this embodiment twoadditional elements which serve automatically .to latch the lockingmember in posi-- tion when the door is closed.

The lockin member I-I8 has secured to "the inner surface thereofadepen'dent lug I40'which may be fastened thereto in any-suitable manneras, for instance, by bending over the upper end I4I thereof and rivetingthe same'to the locking member by means of the rivet I42. The depend.-ent lug I40 passes "through a small opening [44 in the side 0 of thecabinet. This fopening I44 is of :3, diameterwhi'chis only sufficient topermit the movement of the .lug .I4II from the position shown in Figure6 to the position shown'in 'Figure 5. It may, if desired, be a simpleslot in order to accommodate for this movement, and thus does notinterfere with the structural strength of :the cabinet side at all.

If desired, also, the inner surface-0f the side wall H0 may bereinforced around the slot-or opening I40 or the inner surface of theslot or opening I40 may be rein-forced. Since, however, thisopening isrelatively small, such reinforcement may be dispensed with. The metallicplate '17, which reinforces the door I I'I at the locking area thereofand cooperatesiniforming the notch L2 2, has secured thereto andprojecting therefrom the button I50.

Again, in the structure shown in Figures 4-"6, the locking member I I8is of spring metal having a depression I30 therein and which "producesthe convexity -I 3I (of Figure 6) When the door is rotated .to closedposition, then't'he button I 50 on the metallic element II! strikesagainst the free endof the lug I40 and moves the :same inwardly into thecabinet.

Since the upper end of the lug I40 is fixed at IM to the .plate 118,this lug rotates "about this point 'as'a center. As the-door continuesto close, pressure isiexerted'on the convexity I'3I, tending to'snap thesame through center.

The metal in the locking member H8 is 'so arranged that when the door"reaches the closed position,'this-pressure on the convexity I3 Iexerted by the button I50 against the lug I40 now forces the convexityI3I through center to produce the upper convexity I3Ia. and to cause theflanged end I20 of the locking member H8 to snap down into the notchI22.

In order to open the door, finger pressure on the convexity I 3! a willurge the end of the lug I40 against the button I50 and at the same timewill urge the convexity I3Ia through center so that it will snap throughand reform as the convexity I3I of Figure 6, thus raising the retainingelement I28 out of the notch I22 and unfastening the door. At the sametime, this snap action Will cause the lug I40 to strike the button I50smartly and thus snap the door open.

It will thus be seen that in either embodiment, the latching of the dooris obtained by the spring action which results from the snapping of theconvexity in a metallic spring member from one side to the otherthereof.

In Figures 7 and 8 I have shown a slight modification of theconstruction of Figures 5 and 6 wherein, however, a locking structure isentirely enclosed within the cabinet.

In these constructions, the locking member 2I8 is secured to the innersurface of the side wall 2| of the cabinet by means of bolts 225 whichpass through a Washer 225, the said washer 225 being of sulficientthickness to space the locking member 2! from the inside of the sidewall M0 by a distance which will permit the operation of the device inthe manner hereinafter described.

The locking member 2 I8 also has the retaining flange 220, which engagesin the slot 222 formed by the flat metallic member 2 I I. The flatmetallic member 2|! is bent out at ZIB forming a flange which, togetherwith the inner surface of the door 2| I, serves to define the notch orslot 222.

The locking member 2I8 has secured to the inner surface thereof adependent lug 240 which is attached thereto in a manner previouslydescribed in connection with the dependent lug I40 of Figures and 6.

Also, as previously described, the locking member 2| 8 is of springmetal having a depression 230 therein which produces a convexity 23I Themetallic member 2|! is provided with a button 250 which strikes againstthe free end of the lug 240.

The operation of the locking device of Figures '7 and 8 is thus exactlythe same as that previously described in connection with Figures 5 and6. The only difference is that all of the elements of the locking deviceof Figures 7 and 8 are in the interior of the cabinet.

In order to provide access so that linger pressure on the upper surfaceof the convexity 230 may be efiective to open the lock, a finger hole 2is provided of a diameter sufficient to permit the insertion of a fingerto press the convexity inwardly from the position of Figure 7 to theposition of Figure 8. When the door has thus been opened by snapping thespring metal member through center, in the manner described inconnection with Figures 5 and 6, the said door of Figures 7 and 8 maythereafter be closed also in the manner previously described.

While I have described my securing or locking elements specifically inconnection with cabinet or enclosing structures for portable radiotransmitting and receiving apparatus of the walkietalkie type, it willnow be obvious that it may be applied to any type of cabinet structurewhich may be used for any purpose.

In addition, while I have set forth my invention primarily in connectionwith door retaining elements in cabinet or containers, it is obviousthat my lock structure may be used to interengage elements of variousother types of apparatus and is not necessarily limited to theinterengagement of a Wall or a door of a cabinet.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection witha preferred embodiment thereof, but many variations and modificationsshould now be obvious to those skilled in the art.

.I therefore prefer to be bound, not by the specific disclosures herein,but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fastening means for securing a closure over an opening in a Wall;said fastening means including a latch formed of a substantially fiatspring metal member; means for securing one end of said member to thewall; the opposite end of said member extending to said opening andcomprising closure engaging means; said metallic member having a partspherical convexly deformed portion, the convexity of said convexlydeformed portion snapping through to the opposite side of said memberwhen the said opposite free end of said member is moved in a directionnormal to the plane of said member and toward the side which saidconvexity originally occupies.

2. A fastening means for securing a closure over an opening in a wall;said fastening means including a latch formed of a substantially flatspring metal member; means for securing one end of said member to thewall, the opposite end of said member extending to said opening andcomprising closure engaging means; said metallic member having a partspherical convexly deformed portion snapping through to the oppositeside of said member when the said opposite free end of said member ismoved in a direction normal to the plane of said member and toward theside which said convexity originally occupies; an arm extending fromsaid spring metal latch member; means on said closure engageable withsaid arm to snap said convexity from one side to the other of saidspring metal latch member when said closure is moved to closingposition; said closure engaging means engaging said closure when saidconvexity is snapped from one side to the other by the engagement ofsaid means on said closure with said arm.

3. A fastening means for securing a closure over an opening in a wall;said fastening means including a latch formed of a substantially flatspring metal member; means for securing one end of said member to thewall; the opposite end of said member extending to said op and prisingclosure engaging means; said metallic member having a part sphericalconvexly deformed portion, the convexity of said convexly deformedportion snapping through to the opposite side of said member when thesaid opposite free end of said member is moved in a direction normal tothe plane of said member and toward the Side which said convexityoriginally occupies; said closure engaging means comprising a flange atthe free end of said spring metal latch member; said closure membercomprising means for receiving said reentrant flange; an arm extendingfrom said latch member; and means on said closure engageable with saidarm to snap said convexity to the side opposite said flange when saidclosure is moved to closing position.

PAUL STEAD GAY.

